Tesla Motors Takes Model S On A Road Show

Tesla is taking it on the road. The Palo Alto-based high end electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer recently announced plans to take their new Model S beta prototype on a North American tour. The company said the Beta prototypes on display are 90 percent “production intent” in fit finish and performance, and should provide customers the opportunity to experience how the new Telsa model will look and feel.

Tesla says that deliveries of the Model S will begin in mid-2012. The company reports that more than 6,500 reservations have already been made for the company’s new model.

image via Tesla

The Model S is a a bit of a departure from Tesla’s flagship EV, $100,000 Roadster two-seat sports car. The Model S sedan will retail at a starting price of $57,400 (before a federal tax rebate) and seats up to five adults and two children. Those kids will be entertained by a 17″ touchscreen with wireless connectivity for streaming radio, web browsing and navigation.

There is still a bit of sporting performance in the Model S, which can go from zero to 60 in under six seconds and features an impressive top speed of 130 MPH. The EV comes with three battery pack options offering up 160, 230 or 300 mile range choices (price also goes up as range does). It can be recharged using any conventional outlet and is capable of a fast charge of 45 minutes.

Tesla is posting the event dates for the Model S tour on their website for the curious.

Steve Duda lives in West Seattle, WA with three dogs and a lot of outdoor gear. A part-time fly fishing fishing guide and full-time writer, Steve’s work has appeared in Rolling Stone, Seattle Weekly, American Angler, Fly Fish Journal, The Drake, Democracy Now! and many others.